Here is a break down of what children learn through play:
Social Development
- When you play with children, it builds attachment
- Playing with others teaches your child cooperation, sharing, empathy and helping
Emotional Development
- Expressing him/herself through play boots your child's feeling of self-worth
- When your child pretends it helps him/her understand and learn to control his/her feelings
Intellectual (Cognitive)
- Pretend play helps a child make sense of her everyday experiences
- Play enhances a child's persistence, attention span, memory and ability to focus-all skills that are important for success in school
Language Development
- The more practice he/she has to make sounds-even silly ones- the better a child's tongue and mouth can coordinate to say words
- When a child cooperates with you or with another playmate, your child uses words to tell you his/her ideas
Physical Development
- Exploring with their bodies helps children strengthen their large and small muscles
- As they repeat actions, children gain hand-eye coordination and other skills that prepare them for later learning
What do we do to help?
- Create places where children can play
- Play with them
- Let children be children
- Give them toys that help learn and let them choose what to play